Emulation of Live Performance Routine Competition Conditions Without Live Competition Staging Methods and Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for staging emulated live performance routine competitions. Various emulation methods and apparatus may allow for live conditions to be emulated even in the absence of actual staged live competition. Live performance routines may be recorded and stored as live performance routine data. Competition judging may be input and stored as competition judging input data. Data transformation processors may transform such data into live performance routine competition conditions emulated data that may emulate live performance routine competition conditions. Data may be aggregated into an emulated live performance routine competition for remote spectator access.

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/022,265, filed May 8, 2020, such patent applicationand any priority case hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present inventive technology relates to the field of emulating liveperformance routine competitions in an automated fashion without theactual live staging of such competitions. It may involve preserving livecompetition conditions in the emulated competition that otherwisetypically only may be capable of being experienced in actual livecompetition, and may be particularly suited for upholding the ability tohave performance routine competitions even where circumstances preventthem from actual live staging. In various embodiments, the presentinventive technology may relate to fields of virtual competition, remotecompetition, and judging of events at a distance without a need to be inthe same physical location. It may be applied to sports, performances,competitions, individuals, and groups, and other events that aretypically thought of as requiring temporally or locationally proximateactions by individuals or teams. In particular it can include methods ofusing a mobile phone application to capture video content of aperformance by a person or team not physically present at thecompetition to be uploaded directly to an online platform for a judgenot physically present at the performance to score as part of acompetition. Even more specifically, the present inventive technologymay be configured to enforce rules during the video capture process andduring the judging process that can be similar to and can mimic thoseprocedures which take place when athletes or performers are physicallypresent in the same place with the competition judges.

Among the many social activities disrupted by the well-known Covid-19pandemic may be live performance routine competitions, such ascheerleading competitions, dance competitions, gymnastics competitions,musical performance competitions, and other performance- or judge-basedsports and the like. These competitions typically may involvecompetitors engaging in different types of performance routines—again,cheerleading routines, dance routines, gymnastics routines, musicalperformances, and other performance- or judge-based sports or thelike—that may be scored or otherwise evaluated by one or more judges.Such competitions also typically may involve gathering the competitors,judges, and spectators together at a single site or location for thestaging of the competition.

Competition is typically thought of as a side-by-side orone-after-another event where either performers practice their craft inseries or parallel before a set group of judges or evaluator(s) toassess compliance and determine a winner. Competitors can competeside-by-side, in parallel, or one-after-another, in series. As but oneexample, with very few exceptions all sports and performing arts thatare competition-based usually take place with the judges in the sameroom or arena as the competitors. For each competition there aretypically rules and procedures to be followed by the judges and thecompetitors. These rules can inform the competitors in advance how theirperformance will be compared to other competitors and the judges toensure a fair scoring process. Enforcement of these rules can alsoensure the integrity of the competition and are usually easy to managewhen all competitors and judges are in the same physical location. Theserules can be very difficult to enforce when all parties involved are notin the same physical location.

Because of social distancing measures put in place due to the Covid-19pandemic, the on-site gathering of competitors, judges, and spectatorsmay have become impractical or impossible. This has also made morewidespread the use of remote meetings and even remote and virtual groupactivities. While various technologies may have been attempted to holdsuch competitions virtually, these attempts may have failed to preserveaspects of live competition that follow directly from the gatheringtogether of the competitors, judges, and spectators at a site orlocation. For example, simply recording a performance routine andremotely submitting it for judging may fail to replicate the timeconstraints, site conditions, technical limitations, personalinteractions, and other aspects of actual live competition that canaffect or even be outcome-determinative of such live competition.

The present inventive technology is created to address aspects andfacilitate remote and even virtual competition such as may be desirablefor teams and competitors and even judges at a distance or performing atdifferent times. It can be particularly helpful in situations where theexpense or inconvenience make co-located or co-temporal performanceimpractical or can even prohibit participation to the detriment of thecompetition or the competitors. This can be particularly applicable foryounger or larger participations. The present inventive technologyaddresses problems and difficulties to make this a reality across a widespectrum of activities.

While the prior art may disclose methods and apparatus for holdingvarious kinds of competitions online, these prior art methods andapparatus fail to take into account that such online competitioninherently lacks conditions stemming from the live element of livecompetition, and therefore must be accounted for if live competitionconditions are to be replicated, simulated, or approximated in theonline environment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,663,017 to Smyth maydescribe a matrix judging system utilizing a computer-readablemedium(s). However, the matrix judging system may be described as forradio programs, television programs, feature films, advertisingcampaigns, etc. Because these kinds of programs, films, and campaignsmay not be in the nature of live competition, Smyth fails to disclosemethods or apparatus that replicate, simulate, or approximate livecompetition. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 10,307,644 to Jones, et al., maydisclose a virtual competition environment broadly applicable tocompetitions including road races, dance competitions, weight liftingcompetitions, workout competitions, crafting competitions, skateboardingcompetitions, fashion competitions, and/or a wide variety of otheractivities in which users may compete. However, Jones' virtualcompetition environment targeted to a variety of kinds of competitionagain fails to account for the need to replicate, simulate, orapproximate live competition conditions as may arise specifically forthe kinds of live performance routine competitions (e.g., cheerleadingroutines, dance routines, gymnastics routines, musical performances, andother performance- or judge-based sports) for which the presentinventive technology is particularly applicable.

It may be appreciated that the inventive technology described herein,including but not limited to embodiments pertaining to live performanceroutine competition conditions emulated data (117) and emulated liveperformance routine competitions (1120), may be impractical orimpossible to achieve via human intervention alone. In particular, thedescription herein in various embodiments may describe a specificmachine that emulates live performance routine competition conditions inthe absence of actual live competition. This may confer the practicalapplication of being able to preserve live performance routinecompetition conditions when circumstances otherwise might prevent thestaging of live performance routine competitions. The variousembodiments of the inventive technology do not involve only humanactivity, human intelligence, interactions between people, mentalprocesses and the like, but rather necessarily must be implemented bythe various apparatus disclosed herein, e.g., by representing livecompetition conditions as data as described for various embodiments.This may also show that the inventive technology as described andclaimed is “something more” than, e.g., only human activity, humanintelligence, interactions between people, mental processes and thelike. Descriptions of hardware herein may be seen not to be simplygeneric, but rather may describe hardware having specific, practicalattributes, e.g., representing live competition conditions as data fordisclosed hardware in order to emulate live competition conditionswithout actually staging live competition. While the inventivetechnology may be relevant to and may involve organizing human activityand interactions between people, e.g. as may relate generally to thestaging of live performance routine competitions, the disclosedapparatuses and related systems, processes, and techniques disclose“something more” than human activity, e.g. by representing livecompetition conditions as data as described for various embodiments,which may be capable only of implementation by machines, computers, orother apparatuses. Such implementation by machines, computers, or otherapparatuses—which may be necessary to implement the inventive technologyand without which the inventive technology may not be able to beachieved—may be seen as integrating any abstract ideas that otherwisemay be present in the inventive technology into a practical application.The embodiments described herein relating to, e.g., transforming dataand representing live competition conditions as data may be seen asillustrative of how the inventive technology accomplishes results thatare not done, and even are not capable of being done, manually. It mayalso be seen that the described inventive technology does not preemptany abstract idea, mental process, or the like, in as much as thedescribed inventive technology is implemented on the specific machines,computing devices, or other apparatuses described herein and whichimplement practical applications of the inventive principles, e.g.,representing live competition conditions as data for the practicalapplication of avoiding actual live competition. Moreover, it may beseen that the described inventive technology has a physical form asmanifested, for example, in recording means such as video cameras,computing devices such as smartphones, spectator portals such aswebsites, etc.

The foregoing problems related to conventional virtual competitions mayrepresent a long-felt need for an effective solution to the same. Whilesome of the implementing elements may have been available, actualattempts to meet this need may have been lacking to some degree. Thismay have been due to a failure of those having ordinary skill in the artto fully appreciate or understand the nature of the problems andchallenges involved. As a result of this potential lack ofunderstanding, attempts to meet these long-felt needs may have failed toeffectively solve one or more of the problems or challenges hereidentified. These attempts may even have led away from the technicaldirections taken by the present inventive technology and may even resultin the achievements of the present inventive technology being consideredto some degree an unexpected result of the approach taken by some in thefield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE TECHNOLOGY

In one embodiment, an object of the inventive technology may be toprovide an apparatus for the emulation of live performance routinecompetition conditions comprising a live performance routine competitionemulation networked environment, a first recording means capable ofaccess to and being accessed through a networked environment andconfigured to record a first live performance routine occurring at afirst remote location, a first allocated memory capable of access to andbeing accessed through a networked environment and configured toautomatically store a recorded first live performance routine as firstlive performance routine data, a second recording means capable ofaccess to and being accessed through a networked environment andconfigured to record a second live performance routine occurring at asecond remote location, a second allocated memory capable of access toand being accessed through a networked environment and configured toautomatically store a recorded second live performance routine as secondlive performance routine data, at least one input/output means capableof access to and being accessed through a networked environment andconfigured to automatically output live performance routine data to aremote judging location and to automatically accept competition judginginput from a remote judging location, a third allocated memory capableof access to and being accessed through a networked environment andconfigured to automatically store competition judging input ascompetition judging input data, and a data transformation processorcapable of access to and being accessed through a networked environmentand configured to automatically transform any or any combination of liveperformance routine data and competition judging data into liveperformance routine competition conditions emulated data. Another objectof the inventive technology may be to implement the inventive technologyas a live cheerleading competition conditions emulation apparatus. Thepresent inventive technology can include, among other embodiments, anembodiment for a closely connected process that may be considered ashaving three main components.

-   -   One component may include: a mobile phone application or other        functionality that can capture a performance by video (1),        perhaps with any of the following:        -   An app that can pull GPS location (21), which may help to            validate where the performance took place;        -   An app that can automatically timestamp a video (22), which            may help to validate the performance was captured during the            allotted time of the competition;        -   Settable rules (23) for the capture of a performance that            can be adapted for various sports and performing arts            competitions and that can even be automatically enforced to            some degree by the app;        -   A registration element (24) in the app that can validate all            competitors meet the requirements for the competition; and            even        -   Other competitor-centric features (25) readily available for            inclusion as desired or to allow user adaptation as            appropriate to a particular event, performance, or sport.    -   A second component may include: an online portal for judges (2),        whereby they could score a performance, perhaps with any of the        following:        -   A judge's portal that can automatically verify the judges            are trained and certified on the platform (26) and that can            authenticate it is in fact that specific judge doing the            scoring;        -   A judge's portal that can automatically enforce that scoring            takes place only during the allotted time of the competition            (27);        -   A judge's portal that can only allow the judges to review            performances a set number of times as laid out in the rules            of the competition (28);        -   A judge's portal that can automatically send the final            scores to a judge's coordinator to certify they are accurate            and fair according to the rules of the competition (29); and        -   Other judging-centric features (30) readily available for            inclusion as desired or to allow user adaptation for judging            as appropriate to a particular event, performance, or sport.    -   A third component may be: an online viewing portal for        competitors, judges, and others to view a compiled video of the        competition (3), perhaps with any of the following:        -   Once all performances are scored and verified by the judge's            coordinator, they may be compiled into a single video to            stream over the internet for fans, judges (31), and            competitors to watch at a preset time together whether in            parallel or in series. This can even be configured to            automatically give live event visuals and feel to a set of            pre-recorded performances;        -   Fans, judges, and competitors can also have access to watch            competitions on demand (32) whenever and wherever they would            like; and        -   Other spectator or viewer-centric features (33) readily            available for inclusion as desired or to allow user            adaptation for viewing as appropriate to a particular event,            performance, or sport.

Other advantages of the present inventive technology can include:

-   -   Eliminates the need to travel to large venues to participate    -   Dramatically reduces the cost commonly associated with        competition    -   Compete against anyone or any team throughout the world    -   Live broadcast of competition can be viewed on social media or        via live stream    -   Share events with friends and family    -   Increased competition frequency and improve readiness

Naturally, further objects of the inventive technology will becomeapparent from the description and drawings below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a generic representative flow chart of a closely connectedprocess in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive technology;

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed representative flow chart of an additionalclosely connected process in accordance with one exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventive technology;

FIG. 3 shows a process sequence representative flow chart of yet anotherclosely connected process in accordance with one exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventive technology;

FIG. 4 shows an even more detailed representative flow chart of analternative closely connected process in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive technology;

FIGS. 5A-5P show exemplary screen shots in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the present inventive technology;

FIG. 6 shows an additional representative flow chart of an alternativeclosely connected process in accordance with one exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventive technology;

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a live cheerleading competitionconditions emulation apparatus in one exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive technology;

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a live performance routine competitionconditions emulation apparatus in one exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that embodiments include a variety of aspects,which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions areprovided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of theapplication. These elements are listed with initial embodiments;however, it should be understood that they may be combined in any mannerand in any number to create additional embodiments. The variouslydescribed examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed tolimit the embodiments of the application to only the explicitlydescribed systems, techniques, and applications. The specific embodimentor embodiments shown are examples only. The specification should beunderstood and is intended as supporting broad claims as well as eachembodiment, and even claims where other embodiments may be excluded.Importantly, disclosure of merely exemplary embodiments is not meant tolimit the breadth of other more encompassing claims that may be madewhere such may be only one of several methods or embodiments which couldbe employed in a broader claim or the like. Further, this descriptionshould be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims ofall the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, andapplications with any number of the disclosed elements, with eachelement alone, and also with any and all various permutations andcombinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

With reference primarily to FIGS. 7 and 8, in various embodiments, theinventive technology may involve a live performance routine competitionconditions emulation apparatus (111). Some embodiments of the inventivetechnology may involve a live cheerleading competition conditionsemulation apparatus (1134).

Performance routines may involve pre-planned or worked-out acts,performances, or routines by individuals or groups intended to be viewedby an audience as a cohesive presentation, for example in the nature ofcheerleading routines, dance routines, gymnastics routines, musicalperformances, and other performance- or judge-based sports and the like.A performance routine competition may involve two or more performanceroutines that are judged, scored, or otherwise evaluated in order todetermine their merits with respect to one another, such as by declaringa winner, declaring rankings, and the like.

The inventive technology in various embodiments may involve emulating alive performance routine competition. For reference and to aid in suchunderstanding, certain attributes of actual live performance routinecompetitions are described. Performance routine competitions may be heldlive. A live performance routine competition generally may involve someor all of the performers, the judges, the spectators, and otherparticipants or attendees of the competition being present at the samesite or location, for example in the nature of a cheerleading match, adance recital, a gymnastics meet, or a musical concert.

The inventive technology in various embodiments may involve emulatinglive performance routine competition conditions. For reference and toaid in such understanding, certain attributes of actual live performanceroutine competition conditions are described. Live performance routinecompetitions may have live performance routine competition conditions.These generally may be conditions that follow from and would tend not bepresent but for the live nature of the competition. Examples of liveperformance routine competition conditions may include:

-   -   That judges may see each performance only once;    -   That judges may see each performance only from the angle and        perspective from which they are observing, and may see all        performances from such angle and perspective;    -   That judges may see each performance as performed in real time;    -   That judges may see some or all performances in the same        performance space or setting;    -   That judges may see some or all performances subject to the same        site-specific environmental conditions and/or technical        limitations, such as crowd noise, space limitations, lighting        limitations, music or soundtrack limitations, and the like;    -   That judges may see some or all performances within delimited        schedules or blocks of time;    -   That judges may see some or all performances in specific        sequences or orders;    -   That performers may only have one attempt or a limited number of        attempts at their performance;    -   That individual performers and/or performances may be required        to perform or be performed in the same physical performance        space as other performers and/or performances;    -   That performers and/or performances may be subject to        environmental conditions, technical limitations, or other        site-specific or competition-specific attributes, such as crowd        noise, space limitations, lighting limitations, music or        soundtrack limitations, and the like;    -   That performers and/or performances may take place in scheduled        or delimited blocks of time and/or may be subject to time        limits;

That performers and/or performances may be subject to order or sequencelimits;

-   -   That performers and/or performances may be limited in        performance aspects such as dress, props, signage, sets, and the        like;    -   That performers and/or performances may be required to comply        with performance rules, required elements, and the like.        However, the foregoing examples should be understood to be        illustrative only, and should not be construed to limit the full        scope of factors, things, or attributes that would constitute        live performance routine competition conditions as defined or        otherwise consistent with the inventive principles discussed        herein, and/or which would be capable of emulation as otherwise        described herein.

Now with reference to embodiments involving emulating live performanceroutine competition conditions, in some embodiments, live performanceroutine competition conditions may be emulated. While both general andspecific techniques, manners, and modalities for such emulation may bedescribed elsewhere herein, the emulation of live performance routinecompetition conditions generally may involve subjecting a performanceroutine competition participant(s) (such as a performer, judge, team, orspectator) to or otherwise creating a condition that replicates,simulates, or approximates a live performance routine competitioncondition, but is not imposed or created at or in an actual liveperformance routine competition.

As shown with reference to FIG. 1, the inventive technology in someembodiments can be considered as involving three main components. Ifdesired to be included, these may include: a mobile phone applicationthat can capture a performance by video (1), this may be linked to anonline portal for judges to score a performance (2), which may then belinked to an online viewing portal for competitors, judges, and othersto view a compiled video of the competition (3).

As shown with reference to FIG. 2, the present inventive technology insome embodiments can include as a part of the mobile phone application(1) a rules definition element (18). If desired to be included, thisrules definition element (18) can enable rules to be created by forexample, administrators or judges, and can be viewable by any, or onlycertain, users including judges, competitors, coaches, or the like.Communicative to the rules definition element (18) may be a competitorinstallation and use configuration element (19), and/or a judge'sinstallation and use configuration element (20). If desired to beincluded, the competitor installation and use configuration element (19)may be linked with a performance capture element (14). This elementcould enable competitors to upload a video of their performance to theapplication, to possibly then be viewed by judges or other spectators.The judge's installation and use configuration element (20), if desiredto be included, may be linked to a judge upload for competition element(15), whereby a judge or judges can install appropriate functionality tobe able to judge a competition as well as to administer details for thejudge(s) or the like. Linked to the judge upload for competition element(15) might be a competition activity element (16) whereby thecompetition “occurs” and is judged. A spectator/viewing installation anduse configuration element (17) may be desired to be included. This maythen be linked to the competition activity element (16) and allow forusers to view competitions. The spectator/viewing installation and useconfiguration element (17) may also provide spectators the ability tointeract during competitions by publicly commenting during thecompetition perhaps by allowing icons to mimic as spectators cheer,clap, boo, or the like. If desired, in certain embodiments, commenterscould interact with each other's comments during a viewing of acompetition. They could pick sides, support a team, country, orcompetition, or the like.

As shown with reference to FIG. 3 included in the present inventivetechnology if desired in some embodiments may be an element that canprovide rules for the competition to be set and/or defined for thecompetitors and the rules for scoring and judging to be defined for thejudges (8). If desired to be included, this feature could include rulesthat could be capable of being rigid, or could be capable of permittingthose with certain access (i.e. administrators, directors, etc.) to editand revise said rules. Perhaps once the rules are set, they may then beviewed by competitors and/or other spectators. Competitors and/or otherspectators may install the mobile phone application (9) and may have aspecific login username and password and may be associated with theirteam, their geographic location, their skill-level, their age, or anyother number of identifying factors. If desired, a “spectator” accountcould look and function differently than a “competitor” account. Asshown, judges may also have their own account and they may be trainedand certified via a judges' portal (10). In some embodiments, a videoperformance could be captured (11), and then uploaded (12) directly tothe judges' portal. A video containing final competitions, complete withjudges' scores could be compiled and streamed for competitors, judges,and other spectators to view (31).

In embodiments, such as shown with reference to FIG. 4, rules could beimported or set (23) into the rules definition element (18). If desiredto be included, in some embodiments, the rules definition element may beviewable by spectators, judges, coaches, and or competitors. It may alsobe linked to a competitor installation and use configuration element(19), which may be responsive to a video performance that has beencaptured (11) perhaps by the app's performance capture element (14) anduploaded (12) by a user, for example, a coach or competitor. The rulesdefinition element (8) if desired may also function in conjunction withthe judges' installation and use configuration element (20). This mayvary from the competitor installation and use configuration element (19)in that judges may be able to access certain videos and pages thatcompetitors can't. If desired, the judges' installation and useconfiguration element (20) may enable access to certain features such as“pause”, “slow-mo”, etc. in order to better be able to judge thecompetition or performance. Such can even be sync'd or required formultiple or even all judges ‘simultaneously’— at least in that judge'sviewing sequence or time. The judges' installation and use configurationelement (20) may be responsive to or otherwise work in conjunction witha judges' portal (26), which could be configured to, among other things,verify that judges are properly vetted, trained, and certified. Theperformance capture element (14), which may function as part of thecompetitor installation and use element (19) may include the ability to:pull GPS location (21) to identify where the performance took place; atime stamp feature (22) to automatically identify and stamp the exacttime the performance took place, possibly to ensure it met timerequirements; validate all competitors meet requirements for acompetition (24); and a variety of other competitor-centric features(25) readily available for inclusion to further ensure compliance withthe set rules (23) or perhaps purely for informational purposes. Afeature allowing judges to upload data, comments, scores, or video(s)(15) may be available via the judge's installation and use configurationelement (20). Other judging-centric features (30) may be readilyavailable for inclusion as desired or to allow user adaptation forjudging as appropriate to a particular event, performance, or sport. Acompetition activity element (16) can conduct the competition bysequencing or presenting as appropriate. Embodiments may also includethe capability to contain: a judges portal that may automaticallyenforce that scoring takes place only during the allotted time of thecompetition (27); a judge's portal that can allow the judge to reviewperformances a set number of times as laid out (28); a judges portalthat can automatically send the final scores to a judges coordinator tocertify they are accurate and fair according to the rules of thecompetition (29); and any other desired judging-centric features (30).Of course, if desired, this can be customized from competition tocompetition, or from performance to performance. A viewer/spectatorinstallation and use configuration element (17) may be included as afeature of the present inventive technology. This element (17) couldhave certain restricted access whereby spectators could view aperformance or performances after it has been scored and verified by thejudge's coordinator. The final performance video could be compiled intoa single video to stream over the internet (31). The stream-able videocould be capable of being viewed on demand (32) by for example, fans,judges, competitors, or anyone else who may so desire. Or, in certaincases, a video of a performance could also be live-streamed wherebyspectators/viewers, using the spectator/viewing installation and useconfiguration element (17) can watch a performance in real time alongwith judges using the judge's installation and use configuration element(20). The viewer/spectator installation and use configuration element(17) may also contain other spectator or viewer-centric features (33)readily available for inclusion as desired or to allow user adaptationfor viewing as appropriate to a particular event, performance, or sport.

Now with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, various embodiments may involve theuse of a live performance routine competition emulation networkedenvironment (112). A networked environment (112) generally may utilizetwo or more perhaps automated and computer programmed devices that cancommunicate with one another, and in various examples may be as small astwo devices, as large as millions or more of devices, may utilize anydevices suitable for networking such as desktop computers, laptopcomputers, tablet computers, smartphones, smart televisions, gamingconsoles, smart appliances, and the like, and may include any suitablekind of network, such as local area networks, wide area networks, andthe like. In some embodiments, a networked environment (112) may be theInternet and/or the World Wide Web. The networked environment (112) invarious embodiments may be a practically-applied apparatus on whichaspects for the emulation of a live performance routine competition maybe implemented, and the description herein of various components of thenetworked environment (112) may be seen as practically applying theemulation of a live performance routine competition that may preservelive performance routine competition conditions. In some embodiments, anetworked environment (112) may be a live cheerleading competitionemulation networked environment (1133).

In various embodiments, various kinds of devices may be capable ofaccess to and being accessed through a networked environment (112).Access generally may involve the ability to gain access to and utilizethe facilities and resources of the networked environment (112), forexample by adding data to devices in the networked environment (112),retrieving data from devices in the networked environment (112),transforming data in the networked environment (112), communicating withdevices in the networked environment (112), and generally enjoying thebenefits and capabilities of networked computing.

In various embodiments, various items, devices, and things may bedescribed as being automated, and various actions, capabilities, andfunctionalities may be described as being implemented or executedautomatically. The terms automated and automatically may be understoodto include a capability to engage in substantially self-directed action,perhaps self-directed action as may be possible without or with limitedhuman intervention, and perhaps as may be indicated bymachine-implemented action, computer-implemented action, computerprogrammed action, or the like.

The live performance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus(111) in various embodiments may have recording components, subroutines,or means (113) capable of access to and being accessed through anetworked environment (112), and configured to record a live performanceroutine occurring at a remote location (114).

Recording components, subroutines, or means (113) may be generally knownand understood for the technical field described herein, and for theinventive technology may include any device or process suitable forrecording a live performance routine, and in various embodiments mayinclude electronic recording devices, analog recording devices, digitalrecording devices, cameras, still cameras, video cameras, web cams,audio recording devices, microphones, voice recorders, motion sensors,light sensors, heat sensors, biometric sensors, portable recordingdevices, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers,smartphones, recording hardware, recording software, and the like.

Remote locations (114) at which one or more live performance routinesmay be recorded naturally simply may be locations that are separated,apart, distant, or situated at some distance away from one another, andin various embodiments may include locations simply different than orremoved from a conventional site or location at which a live performanceroutine competition otherwise might be staged.

The apparatus described herein naturally may have a plurality ofrecording subroutines, components, or means (113) for recording multiplelive performance routines occurring at one or more dispersed remotelocations (114). For example, embodiments may involve a first recordingsubroutine, component, or means (113) configured to record a first liveperformance routine occurring at a first remote location (114), a secondrecording subroutine, component, or means (113) configured to record asecond live performance routine occurring at a second remote location(114), and so forth. Also naturally, the specific kind or recordingsubroutine, component, or means (113) need not be the same in eachinstance, any suitable recording subroutine, component, or means (113)consistent with the inventive principles discussed herein may suffice.Some embodiments may involve a first video camera (1123) capable ofaccess to and being accessed through a networked environment (112) andconfigured to record a first live cheerleading routine occurring at afirst remote location (114) and a second video camera (1123) capable ofaccess to and being accessed through a networked environment (112) andconfigured to record a second live cheerleading routine occurring at asecond remote location (114).

The live performance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus(111) in various embodiments may have allocated memory (115) capable ofaccess to and being accessed through a networked environment (112), andconfigured to automatically store a recorded live performance routine aslive performance routine data (116).

Memory (115) may be generally known and understood in the technicalfield described herein, and for the inventive technology may involve anymemory (115) suitable for storing data on or in a networked environment(112) that may be utilized consistent with the inventive principlesdiscussed herein, and in various embodiments may include random accessmemory, EDO RAM, SRAM, DRAM, DDR RAM, read only memory, PROM, EPROM,EEPROM, flash memory, NAND flash memory, hard disk drives, solid statedrives, tape drives, optical drives, CD drives, DVD drives, floppydisks, memory chips, digital memory, analog memory, memory hardware,memory software, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, local storage,cloud storage, and the like.

Allocated memory (115) may involve simply the designation of all or partof a given memory (115) for the storage of live performance routine data(116), for example storing all or part of such data on the same memorydevice, on different memory devices, on a part or different parts of thesame or different memory devices, and so forth.

Data may be generally known and understood for the technical fielddescribed herein, and for the inventive technology may be understood toinvolve any and all kinds of data generally known in the art suitablefor use with the inventive principles discussed herein. The capabilitiesof the various kinds of apparatuses described herein to store recordedlive performance routines as live performance routine data (116) mayinvolve the live performance routines being embodied as informationcapable of processing or storage by a computer, which in some examplesmay be video clips, audio clips, images, text, software programs, andthe like. The embodiment of recorded live performance routines as liveperformance routine data (116) may contribute to the practicalapplicability of the apparatus described herein, as such data may becapable of transformation by the apparatus into live performance routinecompetition conditions emulated data (117) having practicalapplications.

The apparatus described herein naturally may have a plurality ofallocated memory (115) for automatically storing a plurality of recordedlive performance routines as a plurality of live performance routinedata (116). For example, embodiments may involve a first allocatedmemory (115) configured to automatically store a recorded first liveperformance routine as first live performance routine data (116), asecond allocated memory (115) configured to automatically store arecorded second live performance routine as second live performanceroutine data (116), and so forth. Moreover, some embodiments may involvea first allocated memory (115) capable of access to and being accessedthrough a networked environment (112) and configured to automaticallystore a recorded first live cheerleading routine as first livecheerleading routine data (1124) and a second allocated memory (115)capable of access to and being accessed through a networked environment(112) and configured to automatically store a recorded second livecheerleading routine as second live cheerleading routine data (1124).

The live performance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus(111) in various embodiments may have input/output subroutines,components, or means (118) capable of access to and being accessedthrough a networked environment (112) and configured to automaticallyoutput live performance routine data (116) to a remote judging location(119) and to automatically accept competition judging input (1110) froma remote judging location (119).

Input/output subroutines, components, or means (118) may be generallyknown and understood for the technical field described herein, and forthe inventive technology may include any software or hardware capable tosend and/or receive data to and from the networked environment (112),and in various embodiments may include cameras, video cameras, stillcameras, web cams, microphones, keyboards, keypads, touch pads, mouses,scanners, joysticks, track pads, track balls, game pads, pens, stylus,tablets, optical readers, magnetic readers, bar code readers, motioncapture devices, biometric capture devices, MIDI controllers, videocards, sound cards, network cards, modems, screens, touch screens,displays, monitors, printers, speakers, headphones, headsets,projectors, GPS devices, plotters, and the like.

A judge may be a competition participant who judges, scores, orotherwise evaluates live performance routines in order to determinetheir merits with respect to one another, such as by declaring a winner,ranking the live performance routines based on one or more criteria, andthe like. One or more remote judging locations (119) naturally simplymay be locations at which judges are or at which judging occurs that areseparated, apart, distant, or situated at some distance away from oneanother, and in various embodiments may include locations simplydifferent than or removed from a conventional site or location at whicha live performance routine competition otherwise might be staged.

Live performance routine data (116) that is automatically output to ajudge simply may involve making a recorded live performance routineavailable to the judge for judging at the remote judging location (119)via the networked environment (112), for example, by outputting the dataas video displayed on screen or the like. Similarly, competition judginginput (1110) simply may be the judgment, score, calculated values, orother evaluation of a judge in the form of input provided to or througha suitable input/output device via the networked environment (112), suchas text entry on a keyboard or the like.

Moreover, in various embodiments input/output subroutines, components,or means (118) may be a judging terminal (1126) capable of access to andbeing accessed through a networked environment (112) and configured toautomatically display normalized capture limit compliant livecheerleading routine data (1125) to a remote judge and to automaticallyaccept judging input (1110) from a remote judge, as such data may bedescribed elsewhere herein.

The live performance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus(111) in various embodiments may have allocated memory (115) capable ofaccess to and being accessed through a networked environment (112), andconfigured to automatically store competition judging input (1110) ascompetition judging input data (1111).

Memory (115) again may be generally known and understood the technicalfield described herein, and for the inventive technology may involve anymemory (115) suitable for storing data on or in a networked environment(112) that may be utilized consistent with the inventive principlesdiscussed herein, and in various embodiments may include random accessmemory, EDO RAM, SRAM, DRAM, DDR RAM, read only memory, PROM, EPROM,EEPROM, flash memory, NAND flash memory, hard disk drives, solid statedrives, tape drives, optical drives, CD drives, DVD drives, floppydisks, memory chips, digital memory, analog memory, memory hardware,memory software, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, local storage,cloud storage, and the like. Allocated memory (115) may involve simplythe designation of all or part of a given memory for the storage ofcompetition judging input data (1111), for example storing all or partof such data on the same memory device, on different memory devices, ona part or different parts of the same or different memory devices, andso forth.

Data again may be generally known and understood for the technical fielddescribed herein, and for the inventive technology may be understood toinvolve any and all kinds of data generally known in the art suitablefor use with the inventive principles discussed herein. The capabilitiesof the various kinds of apparatuses described herein to storecompetition judging input (1110) as competition judging input data(1111) may involve the competition judging input (1110) being embodiedas information capable of processing or storage by a computer, whichagain in some examples may be video clips, audio clips, images, text,software programs, and the like. The embodiment of competition judginginput (1110) as competition judging input data (1111) again maycontribute to the practical applicability of the apparatuses describedherein, as such data may be capable of transformation by the apparatusesinto live performance routine competition conditions emulated data (117)having practical applications as described elsewhere herein.

The apparatus described herein naturally may have a plurality ofallocated memory (115) for automatically storing a plurality ofcompetition judging input (1110) as a plurality of competition judginginput data (1111). For example, embodiments may involve a thirdallocated memory (115) configured to automatically store competitionjudging input (1110) as competition judging input data (1111), and soforth.

The live performance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus(111) in various embodiments may have a data transformation processor(1112) capable of access to and being accessed through a networkedenvironment (112) and configured to automatically transform any or anycombination of live performance routine data (116) and competitionjudging input data (1111) into live performance routine competitionconditions emulated data (117).

Processors may be generally known and understood for the technical fielddescribed herein, and for the inventive technology may be understood toinclude hardware and/or software that receives data that is input andprovides data that is output. A data transformation processor (1112) asdescribed herein may receive various of the kinds of data describedherein and change it in condition, nature, or character, for example bymodifying it, adding to it, subtracting from it, and the like.

In some embodiments, such data may be live performance routine data(116), competition judging input data (1111), and/or any or anycombination of such data, and transforming such data may involvetransforming it into live performance routine competition conditionsemulated data (117). Live performance routine competition conditionsemulated data (117) generally may involve data that enables a liveperformance competition condition to be emulated in such a way that anactual live performance competition need not be staged, and examples oflive performance routine competition conditions emulated data (117) maybe further described herein. The capability to emulate live performanceroutine competition conditions without the staging of actual liveperformance routine competition may be understood to be a practicalapplication of the apparatuses disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, a data transformation processor (1112) may be alive performance routine data transformation processor (1113) configuredto automatically create output limit data (1114) for live performanceroutine data (116) output through an input/output means (118). Outputlimit data (1114) may be live performance routine data (116) that istransformed to limit its scope in a manner that may emulate orfacilitate the emulation of a live performance routine competitioncondition. For example, as so transformed, the data may be output viathe input/output means (118) to a judge, and the judge may experience orotherwise may be subjected to a live performance routine competitioncondition emulated by the transformed data.

Specific examples of output limit data (1114) in various embodiments mayinclude:

-   -   number of views limit data, for example which may limit the        number of times the output data may viewed. In some embodiments,        for example, the output data may be video or the like of a        recorded performance routine, and a judge may be limited in        viewing the routine to the same number of times as the judge        would be able to do so at a live performance routine        competition, such as perhaps one time, or perhaps the number of        times corresponding to a heat, and so forth. This feature        naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical applicability        of the apparatus to emulate a live performance routine        competition condition. In some embodiments, number of views        limit data may be number of displayed views limit data for an        input/output means (118).    -   pause limit data, for example which may limit the ability of the        output data to be paused. For example, a judge at a live        performance routine competition may not be able to pause a live        performance routine being judged, and pause limit data may        emulate this condition, for example where the output data is        video or the like of a recorded live performance routine. This        feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition. In some embodiments, pause limit        data may be display pause limit data for an input/output means        (118).    -   zoom limit data, for example which may limit the ability of the        output data to be zoomed. For example, a judge at a live        performance routine competition may not be able to zoom in or        out of a live performance routine being judged, and zoom limit        data may emulate this condition, for example where the output        data is video or the like of a recorded live performance        routine. This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the        practical applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live        performance routine competition condition. In some embodiments,        zoom limit data may be zoom limit data for an input/output means        (118).    -   volume limit data, for example which may limit the ability to        adjust volume of output data. For example, a judge at a live        performance routine competition may not be able to control the        volume of noise (from the performers, from the crowd, etc.) at a        live performance routine being judged, and volume limit data may        emulate this condition, for example where the output data is        video or the like of a recorded live performance routine. This        feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition. In some embodiments, volume limit        data may be display volume limit data for an input/output means        (118).    -   playback speed limit data, for example which may limit the        ability to adjust a playback speed of output data. For example,        a judge at a live performance routine competition may not be        able to fast forward or reverse a live performance routine being        judged, and playback speed limit data may emulate this        condition, for example where the output data is video or the        like of a recorded live performance routine. This feature        naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical applicability        of the apparatus to emulate a live performance routine        competition condition. In some embodiments, playback speed limit        data may be display playback speed limit data for an        input/output means (118).    -   serial playback limit data, which may limit the ability to        serially play back output data. For example, a judge at a live        performance routine competition may be required to judge live        performance routines serially (e.g., one after another), and        serial playback limit data may emulate this condition, for        example where the output data is video or the like of a recorded        live performance routine. This feature naturally may be seen to        illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus to        emulate a live performance routine competition condition. In        some embodiments, serial playback limit data may be display        serial playback limit data for an input/output means (118).    -   parallel playback limit data, which may limit the ability to        play back output data in parallel. For example, a judge at a        live performance routine competition may be required to judge        live performance routines in parallel (e.g., head-to-head), and        parallel playback limit data may emulate this condition, for        example where the output data is video or the like of a recorded        live performance routine. This feature naturally may be seen to        illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus to        emulate a live performance routine competition condition. In        some embodiments, parallel playback limit data may be display        parallel playback limit data for an input/output means (118).    -   order sequence playback limit data, which may limit the ability        to change the order of output data. For example, a judge at a        live performance routine competition may be required to judge        live performance routines in a specific order (e.g., from lowest        qualifier to highest qualifier), and order sequence playback        limit data may emulate this condition, for example where the        output data is video or the like of a recorded live performance        routine. This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the        practical applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live        performance routine competition condition. In some embodiments,        order sequence playback limit data may be display order sequence        playback limit data for an input/output means (118).    -   time block playback limit data, which may limit the ability to        extend or otherwise deviate from a time block of the output        data. For example, a judge at a live performance routine        competition may be required to judge live performance routines        in specified blocks of time, and time block playback limit data        may emulate this condition, for example where the output data is        video or the like of a recorded live performance routine. This        feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition. In some embodiments, time block        playback limit data may be display time block playback limit        data for an input/output means (118).

In some embodiments, a data transformation processor (1112) may be acompetition judging input data transformation processor (1115)configured to automatically create input limit data (1116) forcompetition judging input data (1111) input through an input/outputmeans (118). Input limit data (1116) may be competition judging inputdata (1111) that is transformed to limit its scope in a manner that mayemulate or facilitate the emulation of a live performance routinecompetition condition. For example, as so transformed, the data may beinput by the judge via the input/output means (118), and may emulatejudging, scoring, evaluation or the like that has been affected by orotherwise subjected to a live performance routine competition condition.

Specific examples of input limit data (1116) in various embodiments mayinclude:

-   -   judge qualifications compensation limit data, which may limit        the judging input data in manner that reflects one or more        qualifications criteria of the judge from which the data was        input that otherwise may be appurtenant to a live performance        routine competition. This feature naturally may be seen to        illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus to        emulate a live performance routine competition condition.    -   judge score weighting limit data, which may limit the judging        input data from one or more judges by weighting it differently        than the judging input data from one or more other judges based        on one or more criteria that otherwise might be appurtenant to a        live performance routine competition. This feature naturally may        be seen to illustrate the practical applicability of the        apparatus to emulate a live performance routine competition        condition.

In some embodiments, a data transformation processor (1112) may be ajudging input validation data transformation processor (1127) configuredto automatically create judgment validated data (1128) for normalizedcapture limit compliant live cheerleading routine data (1125), as suchterms may be described elsewhere herein. Judgment validated data (1128)may be simply such normalized capture limit compliant live cheerleadingroutine data (1125) which has been transformed to either or both ofoutput limit data (1114) or input limit data (1116), and embodiments mayinvolve allocated memory (115) capable of access to and being accessedthrough a networked environment (112) and configured to automaticallystore such judgment validated normalized capture limit compliant livecheerleading routine data (1129).

In some embodiments, a data transformation processor (1112) may be alive performance routine data transformation processor (1113) configuredto automatically create normalization data (1117) for live performanceroutine data (116). Normalization data (1117) may be data tending toconform one or more aspects of live performance routine data (116) to anorm, standard, or the like. In some embodiments, this may involvetransforming variables in a plurality of live performance routine data(116) to a common norm or standard, and reflecting such transformedvariables as normalization data (1117) for each such live performanceroutine data (116). Normalization data (1117) may be an illustration ofthe practical applicability of the apparatus described herein, becausewhen multiple live performance routines are recorded by multipleperformers at multiple remote locations (114), the resulting recordedlive performance routines may vary greatly in sound, appearance, andoverall impression. Normalization data (1117) may tend to reduce oreliminate such variables, making recorded live performance routines morelike live performance routines taking place at an actual liveperformance routine competition, where all such routines may beperformed under generally similar conditions. Moreover, discussionherein of “normalization” data and/or “normalization data” should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of data that is “normalized” or“normalized data” as context requires or as otherwise would fall withinthe understanding of a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Specific examples of normalization data (1117) in various embodimentsmay include:

-   -   perspective compensation limit data, for example which may or        may tend to normalize perspective information embodied in live        performance routine data (116). In some embodiments, for        example, the live performance data may be video or the like of a        recorded performance routine, and the perspective at which the        performance is presented may be shifted, adjusted, or otherwise        altered to conform to a standard perspective, which may tend to        emulate that a judge at a live performance routine competition        may judge a performance routine from a given perspective, and        that the perspective may be the same for all performance        routines judged. This feature naturally may be seen to        illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus to        emulate a live performance routine competition condition.    -   multiple camera compensation limit data, for example which may        limit or eliminate multiple camera information embodied in live        performance routine data (116). In some embodiments, for        example, the live performance data may be video or the like of a        recorded performance routine that may have footage from multiple        cameras. Some or all of the footage from more than a first        camera may be limited or eliminated, which may tend to emulate        that a judge at live performance routine competition may judge a        performance routine from a given viewpoint, and that the        viewpoint may be the same for all performance routines judged.        This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition.    -   soundtrack compensation limit data, which may limit or eliminate        soundtrack information embodied in live performance routine data        (116). In some embodiments, for example, the live performance        data may be video or the like of a recorded performance routine        that may have a soundtrack having attributes such as volume,        tempo, or the like. Some or all attributes of the soundtrack may        be altered or eliminated to conform the soundtrack to what may        be presented at an actual live performance routine competition.        This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition.    -   background compensation limit data, which may limit or eliminate        background information embodied in live performance routine data        (116). In some embodiments, for example, the live performance        data may be video or the like of a recorded performance routine        having a background. The background may be altered or eliminated        to reflect, for example, only backgrounds that are technically        capable or otherwise permitted at a live performance routine        competition. This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate        the practical applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live        performance routine competition condition.    -   aspect ratio compensation limit data, which may alter or change        aspect ratio information embodied in live performance routine        data (116). In some embodiments, for example, the live        performance data may be video or the like of a recorded        performance routine having an aspect ratio, and the aspect ratio        may be changed or altered to conform to a standard so as to        promote similarity among various live performance routine data        (116). This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the        practical applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live        performance routine competition condition.    -   figure-to-ground compensation limit data, which may alter or        change figure-to-ground information embodied in live performance        routine data (116). In some embodiments, for example, the live        performance data may be video or the like of a recorded        performance routine having proportional relationships of figures        to ground, and the figure-to-ground proportions may be changed        or altered to conform to a standard so as to promote similarity        among various live performance routine data (116). This feature        naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical applicability        of the apparatus to emulate a live performance routine        competition condition.    -   extraneous subject matter scrubbing limit data, which may alter        or eliminate extraneous subject matter information embodied in        live performance routine data (116). In some embodiments, for        example, the live performance data may be video or the like of a        recorded performance routine having subject matter extraneous to        the live performance routine, and such extraneous subject matter        may be altered or eliminated. This feature naturally may be seen        to illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus to        emulate a live performance routine competition condition.    -   prejudicial subject matter scrubbing limit data, which may alter        or eliminate prejudicial subject matter information embodied in        live performance routine data (116). In some embodiments, for        example, the live performance data may be video or the like of a        recorded performance routine having prejudicial subject matter        (e.g., “Team X, 2020 World Champions”), and such prejudicial        subject matter may be altered or eliminated. This feature        naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical applicability        of the apparatus to emulate a live performance routine        competition condition.        Moreover, various embodiments may involve a normalization data        transformation processor (1123) configured to automatically        create normalized data for capture limit compliant live        cheerleading routine data, as such terms may be discussed        elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, a data transformation processor (1112) may be alive performance routine data transformation processor (1113) configuredto automatically create capture limit compliance data (1118) for liveperformance routine data (116). Capture limit compliance data (1118) maybe live performance routine data (116) that is transformed into datathat confirms or corroborates that the recording of a live performanceroutine complies with capture requirements that emulate or may beintended to emulate live performance routine competition conditions.

In some embodiments, capture limit compliance data (1118) may beperformance routine capture limit compliance data (1118), such aswherein a data transformation processor (1112) may transform liveperformance routine data (116) to confirm or corroborate thatrequirements for the recorded live performance routine were compliedwith at the point of capture. Specific examples of performance routinecapture limit compliance data (1118) in various embodiments may include:

-   -   number of attempts capture limit compliance data, such as        wherein the data may embody information on the number of        performance routine attempts that were recorded and may confirm        or corroborate the number as falling within an acceptable limit.        This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition, as limits on the number of        attempts of a performance routine may generally be a feature of        live performance routine competition.    -   best attempt capture limit compliance data, such as wherein the        data may embody a selection by performers, judges, or other        competition participants of one recorded live performance        routine as the being the best for competition purposes, such as        judging or the like. This feature naturally may be seen to        illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus to        emulate a live performance routine competition condition, as        live performance routine competition may sometimes allow for        multiple attempts, with the best-made attempt being selected for        judging or other competition purposes.    -   first attempt capture limit compliance data, such as wherein the        data may embody information on whether a recorded live        performance routine was the first attempt. This feature        naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical applicability        of the apparatus to emulate a live performance routine        competition condition, as live performance routine competition        often involves limiting performance routines to a single        attempt.    -   performance routine required elements capture limit compliance        data, such as wherein the data may embody information on whether        one or more elements of a performance routine (e.g., jumps,        runs, tumbles, etc.) were present in a recorded live performance        routine. This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the        practical applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live        performance routine competition condition, as live performance        routine competition generally requires the inclusion of required        performance routine elements into performance routines. Some        embodiments may involve cheerleading routine required elements        capture limit compliant data.    -   performance routine rules capture limit compliance data, such as        wherein the data may embody information on whether one or more        rules of a live performance routine competition (e.g., age        limits, difficulty limits, number of persons limits, etc.) have        been complied with in a recorded live performance routine. This        feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition, as live performance routine        competitions generally have competition rules that performers        are required to adhere to. Some embodiments may involve        cheerleading routine rules capture limit compliant data.    -   performance routine time restrictions capture limit compliance        data, such as wherein the data may embody information on whether        time restrictions (e.g., a time limit on permissible length of a        live performance routine) have been complied with in a recorded        live performance routine. This feature naturally may be seen to        illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus to        emulate a live performance routine competition condition, as        live performance routine competition often involves placing time        restrictions on live performance routines. Some embodiments may        involve cheerleading routine time restrictions capture limit        compliant data.

In some embodiments, capture limit compliance data (1118) may betechnical capture limit compliance data (1118), such as wherein a datatransformation processor (1112) may transform live performance routinedata (116) to confirm or corroborate that requirements for the technicalcapture of a recorded live performance routine were complied with.Specific examples of technical capture limit compliance data (1118) invarious embodiments may include:

-   -   perspective capture limit compliance data, such as wherein the        data may embody information whether perspective requirements for        a recording means (113) (e.g., the height, angle, and location        of a video camera) have been complied with in a recorded live        performance routine. This feature naturally may be seen to        illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus to        emulate a live performance routine competition condition, as        viewers of a live performance routine competition (e.g., judges,        spectators, other performers) may typically view live        performance routines from a single perspective.    -   multiple camera capture limit compliance data, such as wherein        the data may embody information on whether multiple camera        requirements (e.g., no more than one camera) have been complied        with in a recorded live performance routine. This feature        naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical applicability        of the apparatus to emulate a live performance routine        competition condition, as live performance routine competition        generally may not have the ability to rapidly shift views of a        live performance routine in the manner of footage edited to        incorporate the use of multiple cameras.    -   soundtrack capture limit compliance data, such as wherein the        data may embody information on whether requirements for        soundtrack attributes (e.g., volume, tempo, etc.) have been        complied with in a recorded live performance routine. This        feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition, as live performance routine        competition generally may have requirements for soundtrack        attributes such as volume, tempo, etc.    -   background capture limit compliance data, such as wherein the        data may embody information on whether requirements for the        backgrounds against which a recorded live performance routine is        captured have been complied with. This feature naturally may be        seen to illustrate the practical applicability of the apparatus        to emulate a live performance routine competition condition, as        live performance routine competition generally may involve        competing live performance routines generally taking place        within spaces having similar or common backgrounds.    -   aspect ratio capture limit compliance data, such as wherein the        data may embody information on whether aspect ratio requirements        for a recorded live performance routine have been complied with.        This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition, as variability in the aspect        ratios for recorded live performance routines may tend to create        dissimilarities in viewing experience that may not be present in        live performance routine competition.    -   figure-to-ground capture limit compliance data, such as wherein        the data may embody information on whether requirements for the        proportions of figure-to-ground (e.g., how much space performers        take up on screen in a video recording) for a recorded live        performance routine have been complied with. This feature        naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical applicability        of the apparatus to emulate a live performance routine        competition condition, as variability in the figure-to-ground        proportions for recorded live performance routines may tend to        create dissimilarities in viewing experience that may not be        present in live performance routine competition.    -   extraneous subject matter capture limit compliance data, such as        wherein the data may embody information on whether requirements        prohibiting or otherwise regulating subject matter extraneous to        a recorded live performance routine have been complied with.        This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate the practical        applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live performance        routine competition condition, as matter extraneous to a live        performance routine generally may be prohibited or regulated in        live performance routine competition.    -   prejudicial subject matter capture limit compliance data, such        as wherein the data may embody information on whether        requirements prohibiting or otherwise regulating prejudicial        subject matter (e.g., texts or banners with promotional        information such as “Team X, 2020 World Champions”) have been        complied with. This feature naturally may be seen to illustrate        the practical applicability of the apparatus to emulate a live        performance routine competition condition, as prejudicial        subject matter generally may be prohibited or regulated in live        performance routine competition.

Moreover, various embodiments may involve a first capture limitcompliance data transformation processor (1122) configured toautomatically create first capture limit compliant data (1118) for firstlive cheerleading routine data and a second capture limit compliancedata transformation processor (1122) configured to automatically createsecond capture limit compliant data (1118) for second live cheerleadingroutine data. Discussion herein of “compliance” data should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of data that is “compliant” ascontext requires or as otherwise would fall within the understanding ofa person having ordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, a live performance routine competition conditionsemulation apparatus (111) may have a fourth allocated memory (115)capable of access to and being accessed through a networked environment(112) and configured to automatically store live performance routinecompetition conditions emulated data (117) as digitally altered video(1135) configured for playback through a video playback means. Thenature of the digitally altered video (1135) may be as described hereinfor emulating one or more live performance routine competitionconditions, and such a stored video may be a practical application ofthe apparatuses described herein by which live performance routinecompetitions may be emulated in a manner that avoids the need forstaging an actual live performance routine competition. Some embodimentsmay involve a fourth allocated memory (115) capable of access to andbeing accessed through a networked environment (112) and configured toautomatically store aggregated judgment validated normalized capturelimit compliant live cheerleading routine data (1131) as digitallyaltered cheerleading competition video (1135) configured for playbackthrough a video playback means, as such terms may be described elsewhereherein.

The live performance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus(111) in various embodiments may have a live performance routinecompetition conditions emulated data aggregator (1119) capable of accessto and being accessed through a networked environment (112) andconfigured to automatically aggregate live performance routinecompetition conditions emulated data (117) into an emulated liveperformance routine competition (1120).

As described herein, live performance routine competition conditionsemulated data (117) in some embodiments may be produced, generated,created, and the like by the apparatus described herein from multiplesources and may exist as multiple data objects in multiple locations. Alive performance routine competition conditions emulated data aggregator(1119) may be hardware and/or software that may aggregate a plurality oflive performance routine competition conditions emulated data (117) intoa specific format. Naturally, such data may be aggregated in a varietyof manners resulting in a variety of formats, potentially capable ofbeing put to a variety of uses.

Some embodiments may involve aggregating such data into an emulated liveperformance routine competition (1120). This naturally would not be anactual live performance routine competition, but may involve emulatingan actual live performance routine competition in such a way that anactual live performance routine competition need not be staged, forexample by including emulated live performance routine competitionconditions in manners such as may be described herein. The capability toemulate an actual live performance routine competition without theactual staging of such a live performance routine competition may beunderstood to be a practical application of the apparatuses disclosedherein. Some embodiments may involve a live cheerleading competitionconditions emulated data aggregator (1130) capable of access to andbeing accessed through a networked environment (112) and configured toautomatically aggregate judgment validated normalized capture limitcompliant live cheerleading routine data (1129) into an emulated livecheerleading competition (1132).

The live performance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus(111) in various embodiments further may have an emulated liveperformance routine competition spectator portal (1121) capable ofaccess to and being accessed through a networked environment (112) andconfigured to automatically stage an emulated live performance routinecompetition (1120) for remote spectator access. Portals may be generallyknown and understood for the technical field described herein, and forthe inventive technology may be understood to involve hardware and/orsoftware providing an interface by which remote spectators or other likepersons can access and consume an emulated live performance routinecompetition (1120). Examples of portals in some embodiments may includewebsites, smartphone apps, and the like. Remote spectators simply may bespectators that are separated, apart, distant, or situated at somedistance away from one another and from performers, judges, and othercompetition participants, and in various embodiments may includelocations simply different than or removed from a conventional site orlocation at which a live performance routine competition otherwise mightbe staged. Some embodiments may involve an emulated live cheerleadingcompetition spectator portal (1121) capable of access to and beingaccessed through a networked environment (112) and configured toautomatically stage an emulated live cheerleading competition (1132) forremote spectator access.

Because live performance routine competition conditions emulated data(117) in various embodiments may be aggregated in a variety of ways toproduce different kinds of emulated live performance routinecompetitions (1120), a variety of formats and consumption of suchemulated live performance routine competitions (1120) may be possible.Specific examples of emulated live performance routine competitions(1120) in various embodiments that an aggregator may be configured tocreate may include:

-   -   a fixed format aggregated emulated live performance routine        competition, such as wherein the emulated live performance        routine competition is fixed in form and presentation. This may        be analogous to conventional over-the-air broadcast of live        performance routine competitions in some embodiments. Some        embodiments may involve a fixed format aggregated emulated live        cheerleading competition.    -   A selectively formatted aggregated emulated live performance        routine competition, such as wherein the formatting may permit a        degree of flexibility in the presentation and consumption of the        emulated live performance routine competition, for example        wherein remote spectators may be able to select only specific        live performance routines for consumption. Some embodiments may        involve a selectively formatted aggregated emulated live        cheerleading competition.    -   An unformatted aggregated emulated live performance routine        competition, such as wherein all live performance routine        competition conditions emulated data (117) may be made available        in an unformatted aggregate, and for which remote spectators or        the like may have unrestricted access to consume in any manner.        Some embodiments may involve an unformatted aggregated emulated        live cheerleading competition.    -   An open access emulated live performance routine competition,        such as wherein remote spectator access to the emulated live        performance routine competition may be open to any and all        remote spectators. Some embodiments may involve an open access        emulated live cheerleading competition.    -   A restricted access emulated live performance routine        competition, such as wherein remote spectator access to the        emulated live performance routine competition may be restricted.        Any suitable restrictions consistent with the inventive        principles described herein may be utilized, and in some        embodiments such restrictions may involve making remote        spectator access by invitation only. Some embodiments may        involve a restricted access emulated live cheerleading        competition.    -   A spectator participatory emulated live performance routine        competition, such as wherein remote spectators may be able to        create and contribute content to the emulated live performance        routine competition. In some embodiments, for example, such        content may be in the form of likes, claps, comments, etc. Some        embodiments may involve a spectator participatory emulated live        cheerleading competition.    -   A spectator non-participatory emulated live performance routine        competition, such as wherein remote spectators may not be able        to create and contribute content to the emulated live        performance routine competition. Some embodiments may involve a        spectator non-participatory emulated live cheerleading        competition.

Naturally, in some embodiments a live cheerleading competitionconditions emulated data aggregator (1130) may be an aggregatorconfigured to automatically create an emulated live cheerleadingcompetition (1132).

FIGS. 5A-5P may show embodiments that, if desired, may include a varietyof functions as exemplified in various screenshots, accessible byvarious app users. FIG. 5A shows an exemplary screenshot of a judgingdisplay (34), which if desired to be included, can enable a judge toaccess, view, and submit various items including but not limited toaspects relevant to that particular competition, perhaps such as forsome sports: a jump score, a standing tumbling score, a running tumblingscore, and a performance score as but a few examples. FIG. 5B shows anexemplary screenshot of an example competition score report (35),possibly accessible through a judge's installation and use configurationelement (20). If desired to be included, this could include a scorereport for each competition, possibly organized by date, alphabetically,by final score, or any other identifying factor. FIG. 5C shows anexemplary screenshot of an example screen allowing a judge to add theirscore(s) to a submission assignment (36), possibly accessible through ajudge's installation and use configuration element (20). If desired tobe included, judges could utilize this to submit their scores andcomments to each specific performance or competition. FIG. 5D shows anexemplary screenshot of an example screen allowing a judge to importtheir new match submissions (37), possibly accessible through a judge'sinstallation and use configuration element (20). FIG. 5E shows anexemplary screenshot of an example screen showing competition schedules(38), possibly accessible through a judge's installation and useconfiguration element (20). If desired to be included, judges could usethis feature to see their upcoming schedule, or to see any and/or allscheduled competitions. FIG. 5F shows an exemplary screenshot of anexample screen showing a submission score queue (39), possiblyaccessible through a judge's installation and use configuration element(20). FIG. 5G shows an exemplary screenshot of an example screen showinga possible example of a dashboard overview (40), possibly accessiblethrough a judge's installation and use configuration element (20). Ifdesired to be included, the dashboard overview could feature buttonswith direct access to features in the judge's portal, it could alsoinclude a plethora of other quick-access buttons or even informationincluding but not limited to all of their upcoming scheduledcompetitions for performances to judge, and which other judges areonline. FIG. 5H shows an exemplary screenshot of an example login screento allow access to a judges installation (41) and use configurationelement (20). FIG. 5I shows an exemplary screenshot of an example screenpossibly seen upon opening the app, allowing a user to get started (42).FIG. 5J shows an exemplary screenshot of an example login screen (43) toallow access to a spectator/viewing installation and use configurationelement (17) or a competitor installation and use configuration element(20). If desired to be included, this screen, or a similar screen couldbe viewable to a spectator and/or fan and could provide access to allfeatures that may be set to “spectator access.” FIG. 5K shows anexemplary screenshot of an example screen prompting a user to captureand submit a video (44), perhaps using a video performance capturefeature (11). If desired to be included, this would allow users tocapture video directly in the app itself. In other embodiments, it maybe possible to upload to the app a video that was taken outside of theapp. FIG. 5L shows an exemplary screenshot of an example screenpreceding a capture of a video performance (45), possibly using a videoperformance capture feature (11). FIG. 5M shows an exemplary screenshotof an example video being captured (46), possibly by the videoperformance capture feature (11). FIG. 5N shows an exemplary screenshotof an example screen shown after a video performance or competition hasbeen captured (47). If desired to be included, this could: automaticallyevaluate and ensure a user that the video was submitted successfully,enable a user to re-record if they are not satisfied with their video,or any other desired options. FIG. 5O shows an exemplary screenshot ofan example screen allowing a user to submit a previously-captured videoof a performance or competition (48). FIG. 5P shows an exemplaryscreenshot of an example screen verifying a successful submission of apreviously-captured video of a performance or competition (49). Ifdesired to be included, this screen could also show if apreviously-captured video of a performance or competition (49) was notuploaded successfully.

As shown with reference to FIG. 6, embodiments, if desired may includeany one or combination, including permutations and combinations, of anyof the following features. In one embodiment there may be included, arules definition element (18) which can include an automatic defined andaccepted competition rules of this particular competition programelement (81), subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality. Ifdesired to be included, this can act to automatically define competitionrules, to automatically cause acceptance of competition rules, and caneven be configured to establish rules for a particular competition, ifdesired. Also included as part of the rules definition element (18)could be an automatic defined and accepted judging criteria programelement, subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality (82). Ifdesired to be included, this can act to automatically define and acceptcertain desired judging criteria. The competitor installation and useconfiguration element (19), used by competitors or performers, maycontain an automatic participant registration and threshold criteriadetermination program element, subroutine, or computer-aided automaticfunctionality (83). If desired to be included, this can act toautomatically determine, perhaps via elements, subroutines, or othercomputer-aided functionality, whether the participant meets thethreshold criteria. An automatic rules compliance rejection orcompliance suggestion program element, subroutine, or computer-aidedautomatic functionality (84) can also be included. If desired to beincluded, this can act to automatically determine whether certain setrules (23) have been complied with during a competition or otherperformance. If the certain set rules (23) were not complied with, theautomatic rules compliance rejection or compliance suggestion programelement, subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality (84)could, for example, issue a rejection to the participants and/or suggestways to ensure compliance via a program element, subroutine, or computeraided automatic functionality. Communicative to the automatic rulescompliance rejection or compliance suggestion program element,subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality (84) could be anautomatic timing and number of attempts program element, subroutine, orcomputer-aided automatic functionality (85). If desired to be included,this can act to automatically log and time the number of attempts of aperformance or competition, to ensure compliance with set rules (23). Inembodiments of the present inventive technology, an automatic judgetraining or certification program element, subroutine, or computer-aidedautomatic functionality (89) may be accessible or otherwise associatedwith the judges' installation and use configuration element (20). Ifdesired to be included, this can act to achieve higher level training orto assure appropriate certification for that particular competition. Anautomatic judge certification currency assurance or statistical fairnessprogram element, subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality(90) may also be accessible or otherwise associated with the judges'installation and use configuration element (20). If desired to beincluded, this can act to automatically assure judges' qualificationsare current at the time of the competition and/or can assess judges insome fashion, perhaps even for statistical indication of fairness ineven an automatic fashion. An automatic judge or participant orcompetition linking program element, subroutine, or computer-aidedautomatic functionality (91) may also be accessible or otherwiseassociated with the judges' installation and use configuration element(20). If desired to be included, this can act to automatically linkjudges and participants, competitors, or competitions. In this andpossibly in other embodiments, the performance capture element (14) mayinclude an automatic performance capture format compliance programelement, subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality (95). Ifdesired to be included, this can act to automatically verify that avideo-captured performance is in compliance with the set rules (23) viaan element, subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality.Associated with the performance capture element (14) and/or the judgeupload for competition element (15) may be an automatic performancesimilarization program element, subroutine, or computer-aided automaticfunctionality (86). If desired to be included, this can act tosimilarize performances for judging to at least some degree, such as tomake vantage points, or performance effects such as music, beatpresentation, or the like similar perhaps through video or audiomanipulation, participant suggesting or requiring, or the like. Alsoassociated with the performance capture element (14) and/or the judgeupload for competition element (15) may be an automatic presentationstripping program element, subroutine, or computer-aided automaticfunctionality (87). If desired to be included, this can act to strip orblock elements, perhaps names, identifiers, spectator indications, orsuch that could be perceived to make judging unfair or the like. Alsoassociated with the performance capture element (14) and/or the judgeupload for competition element (15) may be an automatic computer-aideddecision or participant effect program element, subroutine, orcomputer-aided automatic functionality (88). If desired to be included,this can act to provide either early stage or competition levelindications for either participants or judges either publicly orprivately. In this embodiment, and perhaps in others, the judge uploadfor competition element (15) may include three possible features. Anautomatic simultaneous or sequential ordering program element,subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality (92) may beincluded if desired and can act to sequence performances as appropriatefor both judges and/or spectators. An automatic inter-judgecommunication control and/or verification program element, subroutine,or computer-aided automatic functionality (93) could also be included ifdesired and can act to facilitate or control communication includingvoice or text messages between judges. An automatic judge or participantinvite program element, subroutine, or computer-aided automaticfunctionality (94) may be desired to be included, and can act toautomatically invite judges, participants, spectators or anyone else, toview certain performances or competitions. This could include its ownset of spectator-only rules or criteria, and could automatically sendinvites or special log in access to anyone who meets a certaincriterion. As part of the judge upload for competition element (15), anautomatic judge entry itemization program element, subroutine, orcomputer-aided automatic functionality (96) may be provided. If desiredto be included, this can act to automatically itemize a judge's orjudges' scores or other entries for a particular performance orcompetition. This automatic judge entry itemization program element,subroutine, or computer-aided automatic functionality (96) can be set tobe private, viewable only by other judges, viewable only by judges andparticipants, or viewable to all, as but a few examples. The automaticjudge entry itemization program element, subroutine, or computer-aidedautomatic functionality (96) could be also communicative to and from thecompetition activity element (16). And also communicative to and fromthe competition activity element (16) may be four features, possiblyamong others. This may include an automatic viewing streamingsynchronization choice program element, subroutine, or computer-aidedautomatic functionality (97). If desired to be included, this can act toautomatically allow viewers to observe performance as viewed by judgesor as available in raw participant upload options. Another feature maybe an automatic judge entered decisions by individual criteriacompilation and display program element, subroutine, or computer-aidedautomatic functionality (98). If desired to be included, this can act toautomatically compile and display decisions entered by judges, possiblycategorized by individual criteria. Another feature may be an automaticsimilarized and stripped (if decided to be included in an embodiment)comparison or display program element, subroutine, or computer-aidedautomatic functionality (99). If desired to be included, this can act toprovide spectators views as limited such as for judges. And, yet anotherfeature that could be included may be an automatic winner or rankingresult program element, subroutine, or computer-aided automaticfunctionality (100). If desired to be included, this can act toautomatically determine, based on some, any, or all criteria and/orjudges' data contained in the judges' installation and use configurationelement (20), a winner and or/rankings or other results. In this sameembodiment, and perhaps in others, a spectator/viewing installation anduse configuration element (17) may also be linked to the competitionactivity element (16).

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe various embodiments of the present invention(s) may be embodied in avariety of ways. It involves both live performance routine competitionconditions emulating techniques as well as devices to accomplish theappropriate live performance routine competition conditions emulation.In this application, the live performance routine competition conditionsemulating techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to beachieved by the various devices described and as steps which areinherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizingthe devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devicesare disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplishcertain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly,as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood tobe encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this patent application is intended to serveas a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specificdiscussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; manyalternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the genericnature of the various embodiments of the invention(s) and may notexplicitly show how each feature or element can actually berepresentative of a broader function or of a great variety ofalternative or equivalent elements. As one example, terms of degree,terms of approximation, and/or relative terms may be used. These mayinclude terms such as the words: substantially, about, only, and thelike. These words and types of words are to be understood in adictionary sense as terms that encompass an ample or considerableamount, quantity, size, etc. as well as terms that encompass largely butnot wholly that which is specified. Further, for this application if orwhen used, terms of degree, terms of approximation, and/or relativeterms should be understood as also encompassing more precise and evenquantitative values that include various levels of precision and thepossibility of claims that address a number of quantitative options andalternatives. In context, these should be understood by a person ofordinary skill as being disclosed and included whether in an absolutevalue sense or in valuing one set of or substance as compared to thevalue of a second set of or substance. Again, these are implicitlyincluded in this disclosure and should (and, it is believed, would) beunderstood to a person of ordinary skill in this field. Where theapplication is described in device-oriented terminology, each element ofthe device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not onlybe included for the device described, but also method or process claimsmay be included to address the functions of the embodiments and thateach element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology isintended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in anysubsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be madewithout departing from the essence of the various embodiments of theinvention(s). Such changes are also implicitly included in thedescription. They still fall within the scope of the various embodimentsof the invention(s). A broad disclosure encompassing the explicitembodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternativeembodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like areencompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting theclaims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understoodthat such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may beaccomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or inthe event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on thisfiling. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that thisdisclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patentapplication that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims asdeemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield apatent covering numerous aspects of embodiments of the invention(s) bothindependently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the embodiments of theinvention(s) and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners.Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood asencompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may notbe physically connected. This disclosure should be understood toencompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of anyapparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely avariation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understoodthat as the disclosure relates to elements of the various embodiments ofthe invention(s), the words for each element may be expressed byequivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function orresult is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic termsshould be considered to be encompassed in the description of eachelement or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to makeexplicit the implicitly broad coverage to which embodiments of theinvention(s) is entitled. As but one example, it should be understoodthat all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action oras an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical elementdisclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the actionwhich that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, asbut one example, the disclosure of a “processor” should be understood toencompass disclosure of the act of “processing”—whether explicitlydiscussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure ofthe act of “processing”, such a disclosure should be understood toencompass disclosure of a “processor” and even a “means for processing.”Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitlyincluded in the description. Further, each such means (whetherexplicitly so described or not) should be understood as encompassing allelements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions ofelements that perform a described function should be understood as anon-limiting example of means for performing that function. As othernon-limiting examples, it should be understood that claim elements canalso be expressed as any of: components that are configured to, orconfigured and arranged to, achieve a particular result, use, purpose,situation, function, or operation, or as components that are capable ofachieving a particular result, use, purpose, situation, function, oroperation. All should be understood as within the scope of thisdisclosure and written description.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in thisapplication for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. Anypriority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended andhereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used itshould be understood that unless its utilization in this application isinconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionarydefinitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and alldefinitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in theRandom House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are herebyincorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in anyInformation Disclosure Statement or other information statement filedwith the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated byreference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that suchinformation or statements incorporated by reference might be consideredinconsistent with the patenting of the various embodiments ofinvention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as madeby the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim andmake claims to embodiments including at least: i) each of the emulationdevices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methodsdisclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicitvariations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternativedesigns which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosedand described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplisheach of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which isdisclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown asseparate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced bythe various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resultingproducts produced by such processes, methods, systems or components, ix)each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied toany specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatusessubstantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of theaccompanying examples, xi) an apparatus for performing the methodsdescribed herein comprising means for performing the steps, xii) thevarious combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed,xiii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency oneach and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, andxiv) all inventions described herein.

In addition and as to computer aspects and each aspect amenable toprogramming or other electronic automation, it should be understood thatin characterizing these and all other aspects of the various embodimentsof the invention(s)—whether characterized as a device, a capability, anelement, or otherwise, because all of these can be implemented viasoftware, hardware, or even firmware structures as set up for a generalpurpose computer, a programmed chip or chipset, an ASIC, applicationspecific controller, subroutine, or other known programmable or circuitspecific structure—it should be understood that all such aspects are atleast defined by structures including, as person of ordinary skill inthe art would well recognize: hardware circuitry, firmware, programmedapplication specific components, and even a general purpose computerprogrammed to accomplish the identified aspect. For such itemsimplemented by programmable features, the applicant(s) should beunderstood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention toat least: xv) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer,machine, or computing machine as described throughout the abovediscussion, xvi) a programmable apparatus as described throughout theabove discussion, xvii) a computer readable memory encoded with data todirect a computer comprising means or elements which function asdescribed throughout the above discussion, xviii) a computer, machine,or computing machine configured as herein disclosed and described, xix)individual or combined subroutines and programs as herein disclosed anddescribed, xx) a carrier medium carrying computer readable code forcontrol of a computer to carry out separately each and every individualand combined method described herein or in any claim, xxi) a computerprogram to perform separately each and every individual and combinedmethod disclosed, xxii) a computer program containing all and eachcombination of means for performing each and every individual andcombined step disclosed, xxiii) a storage medium storing each computerprogram disclosed, xxiv) a signal carrying a computer program disclosed,xxv) a processor executing instructions that act to achieve the stepsand activities detailed, xxvi) circuitry configurations (includingconfigurations of transistors, gates, and the like) that act to sequenceand/or cause actions as detailed, xxvii) computer readable medium(s)storing instructions to execute the steps and cause activities detailed,xxviii) the related methods disclosed and described, xxix) similar,equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these systems andmethods, xxx) those alternative designs which accomplish each of thefunctions shown as are disclosed and described, xxxi) those alternativedesigns and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as areimplicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxxii)each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independentinventions, and xxxiii) the various combinations of each of the aboveand of any aspect, all without limiting other aspects in addition.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, itshould be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid greatexpansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any timepresent only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with onlyinitial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested inpotential scope of this or subsequent applications should understandthat broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in acase claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spiteof any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, orarguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there isno intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. Itshould be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, suchmay require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered atany prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that tothe extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented inthis or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid suchprior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims orthe like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested inexisting or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at anytime been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender ofpotential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimeris ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application.Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this orany subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understoodto exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but notlimited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United StatesPatent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of anyof the various dependencies or other elements presented under oneindependent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any otherindependent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whetherin this application or in any subsequent application, it should also beunderstood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broada scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent thatinsubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant didnot in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particularembodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant shouldnot be understood to have in any way intended to or actuallyrelinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have beenable to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should notbe reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literallyencompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase“comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, accordingto traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requiresotherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” orvariations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to implythe inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or stepsbut not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elementsor steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive formso as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.The use of the phrase, “or any other claim” is used to provide supportfor any claim to be dependent on any other claim, such as anotherdependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, asubsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if aclaim were dependent “on claim 20 or any other claim” or the like, itcould be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 15, or even claim 25(if such were to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure.It should be understood that this phrase also provides support for anycombination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desiredproper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as withcombinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated byreference as part of this description of the various embodiments of theapplication, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use allof or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims asadditional description to support any of or all of the claims or anyelement or component thereof, and the applicant further expresslyreserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporatedcontent of such claims or any element or component thereof from thedescription into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define thematter for which protection is sought by this application or by anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, orto comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country ortreaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive duringthe entire pendency of this application including any subsequentcontinuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof orany reissue or extension thereon.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A live performance competition conditions emulationapparatus comprising: a live performance competition emulation networkedenvironment; a first video camera capable of access to and beingaccessed through said networked environment and configured to record afirst live performance routine occurring at a first remote location; afirst allocated memory capable of access to and being accessed throughsaid networked environment and configured to automatically store saidrecorded first live performance routine as first live performanceroutine data; a first capture limit compliance data transformationprocessor configured to automatically create first capture limitcompliant data for said first live performance routine data; a secondvideo camera capable of access to and being accessed through saidnetworked environment and configured to record a second live performanceroutine occurring at a second remote location; a second allocated memorycapable of access to and being accessed through said networkedenvironment and configured to automatically store said recorded secondlive performance routine as second live performance routine data; asecond capture limit compliance data transformation processor configuredto automatically create second capture limit compliant data for saidsecond live performance routine data; a normalization datatransformation processor configured to automatically create normalizeddata for said capture limit compliant live performance routine data; atleast one judging terminal capable of access to and being accessedthrough said networked environment and configured to automaticallydisplay said normalized capture limit compliant live performance routinedata to a remote judge and to automatically accept judging input fromsaid remote judge; a judging input validation data transformationprocessor configured to automatically create judgment validated data forsaid normalized capture limit compliant live performance routine data; athird allocated memory capable of access to and being accessed throughsaid networked environment and configured to automatically store saidjudgment validated normalized capture limit compliant live performanceroutine data; a live performance competition conditions emulated dataaggregator capable of access to and being accessed through saidnetworked environment and configured to automatically aggregate saidjudgment validated normalized capture limit compliant live performanceroutine data into an emulated live performance competition; and anemulated live performance competition spectator portal capable of accessto and being accessed through said networked environment and configuredto automatically stage said emulated live performance competition forremote spectator access.
 22. A live performance competition conditionsemulation apparatus as described in claim 21 wherein said first liveperformance routine and said second live performance routine is chosenfrom a dance routine, a musical performance, a gymnastics routine, aperformance-based sport, and a judge-based sport.
 23. A live performancecompetition conditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 21wherein said capture limit compliant data comprises capture limitcompliant data selected from the group consisting of number of attemptscapture limit compliant data, best attempt capture limit compliant data,first attempt capture limit compliant data, performance routine requiredelements capture limit compliant data, performance routine rules capturelimit compliant data, and performance routine time restrictions capturelimit compliant data.
 24. A live performance competition conditionsemulation apparatus as described in claim 21 wherein said capture limitcompliant data comprises capture limit compliant data selected from thegroup consisting of perspective capture limit compliant data, multiplecamera capture limit compliant data, soundtrack capture limit compliantdata, background capture limit compliant data, aspect ratio capturelimit compliant data, figure-to-ground capture limit compliant data,extraneous subject matter capture limit compliant data, and prejudicialsubject matter capture limit compliant data.
 25. A live performancecompetition conditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 21wherein said normalized data comprises normalized data selected from thegroup consisting of perspective compensation limit data, multiple cameracompensation limit data, soundtrack compensation limit data, backgroundcompensation limit data, aspect ratio compensation limit data,figure-to-ground compensation limit data, extraneous subject matterscrubbing limit data, and prejudicial subject matter scrubbing limitdata.
 26. A live performance competition conditions emulation apparatusas described in claim 21 wherein said judgment validated data comprisesjudgment validated data selected from the group consisting of judgequalifications compensation limit data, judge score weighting limitdata, number of displayed views limit data, display pause limit data,display zoom limit data, display volume limit data, display playbackspeed limit data, display serial playback limit data, display parallelplayback limit data, display order sequence playback limit data, anddisplay time block playback limit data.
 27. A live performancecompetition conditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 21wherein said live performance competition conditions emulated dataaggregator comprises an aggregator configured to automatically create anemulated live performance competition selected from the group consistingof a fixed format aggregated emulated live performance competition, aselectively formatted aggregated emulated live performance competition,an unformatted aggregated emulated live performance competition, an openaccess emulated live performance competition, a restricted accessemulated live performance competition, a spectator participatoryemulated live performance competition, and a spectator non-participatoryemulated live performance competition.
 28. A live performancecompetition conditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 21further comprising a fourth allocated memory capable of access to andbeing accessed through said networked environment and configured toautomatically store said aggregated judgment validated normalizedcapture limit compliant live performance routine data as digitallyaltered performance competition video configured for playback through avideo playback means, and wherein said emulated live performancecompetition spectator portal comprises an emulated live performancecompetition spectator portal configured to automatically play back saiddigitally altered performance competition video.
 29. A live performanceroutine competition conditions emulation apparatus comprising: a liveperformance routine competition emulation networked environment; a firstrecording means capable of access to and being accessed through saidnetworked environment and configured to record a first live performanceroutine occurring at a first remote location; a first allocated memorycapable of access to and being accessed through said networkedenvironment and configured to automatically store said recorded firstlive performance routine as first live performance routine data; asecond recording means capable of access to and being accessed throughsaid networked environment and configured to record a second liveperformance routine occurring at a second remote location; a secondallocated memory capable of access to and being accessed through saidnetworked environment and configured to automatically store saidrecorded second live performance routine as second live performanceroutine data; at least one input/output means capable of access to andbeing accessed through said networked environment and configured toautomatically output said live performance routine data to a remotejudging location and to automatically accept competition judging inputfrom said remote judging location; a third allocated memory capable ofaccess to and being accessed through said networked environment andconfigured to automatically store said competition judging input ascompetition judging input data; a data transformation processor capableof access to and being accessed through said networked environment andconfigured to automatically transform any or any combination of saidlive performance routine data and said competition judging data intolive performance routine competition conditions emulated data.
 30. Alive performance competition conditions emulation apparatus as describedin claim 29 wherein said first live performance routine and said secondlive performance routine is chosen from a dance routine, a musicalperformance, a gymnastics routine, a performance-based sport, and ajudge-based sport.
 31. A live performance routine competition conditionsemulation apparatus as described in claim 29 wherein said datatransformation processor comprises a live performance routine datatransformation processor configured to automatically create output limitdata for said live performance routine data output through saidinput/output means.
 32. A live performance routine competitionconditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 31 wherein saidoutput limit data comprises output limit data selected from the groupconsisting of number of views limit data, pause limit data, zoom limitdata, volume limit data, playback speed limit data, serial playbacklimit data, parallel playback limit data, order sequence playback limitdata, and time block playback limit data.
 33. A live performance routinecompetition conditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 29wherein said data transformation processor comprises a competitionjudging input data transformation processor configured to automaticallycreate input limit data for said competition judging input data inputthrough said input/output means.
 34. A live performance routinecompetition conditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 33wherein said input limit data comprises input limit data selected fromthe group consisting of judge qualifications compensation limit data andjudge score weighting limit data.
 35. A live performance routinecompetition conditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 29wherein said data transformation processor comprises a live performanceroutine data transformation processor configured to automatically createnormalization data for said live performance routine data.
 36. A liveperformance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus asdescribed in claim 35 wherein said normalization data comprisesnormalization data selected from the group consisting of perspectivecompensation limit data, multiple camera compensation limit data,soundtrack compensation limit data, background compensation limit data,aspect ratio compensation limit data, figure-to-ground compensationlimit data, extraneous subject matter scrubbing limit data, andprejudicial subject matter scrubbing limit data.
 37. A live performanceroutine competition conditions emulation apparatus as described in claim29 wherein said data transformation processor comprises a liveperformance routine data transformation processor configured toautomatically create capture limit compliance data for said liveperformance routine data.
 38. A live performance routine competitionconditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 37 wherein saidcapture limit compliance data comprises performance routine capturelimit compliance data selected from the group consisting of number ofattempts capture limit compliance data, best attempt capture limitcompliance data, first attempt capture limit compliance data,performance routine required elements capture limit compliance data,performance routine rules capture limit compliance data, and performanceroutine time restrictions capture limit compliance data.
 39. A liveperformance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus asdescribed in claim 37 wherein said capture limit compliance datacomprises technical capture limit compliance data selected from thegroup consisting of perspective capture limit compliance data, multiplecamera capture limit compliance data, soundtrack capture limitcompliance data, background capture limit compliance data, aspect ratiocapture limit compliance data, figure-to-ground capture limit compliancedata, extraneous subject matter capture limit compliance data, andprejudicial subject matter capture limit compliance data.
 40. A liveperformance routine competition conditions emulation apparatus asdescribed in claim 29 and further comprising: a live performance routinecompetition conditions emulated data aggregator capable of access to andbeing accessed through said networked environment and configured toautomatically aggregate said live performance routine competitionconditions emulated data into an emulated live performance routinecompetition; and an emulated live performance routine competitionspectator portal capable of access to and being accessed through saidnetworked environment and configured to automatically stage saidemulated live performance routine competition for remote spectatoraccess.
 41. A live performance routine competition conditions emulationapparatus as described in claim 40 wherein said aggregator comprises anaggregator configured to automatically create an emulated liveperformance routine competition selected from the group consisting of afixed format aggregated emulated live performance routine competition, aselectively formatted aggregated emulated live performance routinecompetition, an unformatted aggregated emulated live performance routinecompetition, an open access emulated live performance routinecompetition, a restricted access emulated live performance routinecompetition, a spectator participatory emulated live performance routinecompetition, and a spectator non-participatory emulated live performanceroutine competition.
 42. A live performance routine competitionconditions emulation apparatus as described in claim 29 furthercomprising a fourth allocated memory capable of access to and beingaccessed through said networked environment and configured toautomatically store said live performance routine competition conditionsemulated data as digitally altered video configured for playback througha video playback means.